Quranic root
محن
m · ḥ · n
Classical evidence records three distinct, non-analogical branches for this root: testing or trial, giving or withholding, and striking with a whip.
The Quranic Form VIII verb develops the testing-and-trial branch, alongside the related noun مِحْنَةٌ. The reported giving and striking branches remain separate Classical Arabic usages rather than extensions of the Quranic verb's sense.
- Maqāyīs · row 4309
- Mufradāt · row 1349
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
اِمْتَحَنَ
āimtaḥana
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VIII
- Form
- VIII
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To test, examine, or put through trial.
Used of testing people or hearts. The Quranic usages include examining persons and describing hearts as tested in relation to piety; these are applications of the same testing or trial construction.
- Mufradāt · row 1349
- Maqāyīs · row 4309
Selected Quran examples
Quran 60:10word 8
“then examine them”
Quran 49:3word 10
“Allah has tested”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 3 Classical meanings
مِحْنَةٌ
A trial, ordeal, or afflicting test.
Noun; plural مِحَنٌ.
- Lane · entry 5644
مَحَنَ
To give someone something.
Attested in a negative construction meaning, “I came to him, but he gave me nothing.”
- Maqāyīs · row 4309
مَحَنَ
To strike someone with a whip.
A transitive construction specifying the whip as the instrument.
- Maqāyīs · row 4309
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Classical record explicitly treats testing, giving, and striking as separate non-analogical branches; the latter two should not be inferred as meanings of the Quranic Form VIII verb.